Sunday, 19 February 2012

Clay and bronze objects of small size, such as statuettes, vases and lamps, dated from the Geometric to the Classical periods, as well as a gold seal-ring bearing an image of bull-fighing of the Mycenean period, were stolen during an armed robbery that happened this morning at the Museum of the History of the Olympic Games of Antiquity in Olympia.

This morning the [female] guard was attacked by two robbers, who had their faces covered and carried weapons and sledge-hammers. The culprits, having immobilised the guard of the Museum, broke the show-cases and removed a total of 65 objects.

The Minister of Culture and Tourism, mr. Pavlos Geroulanos, the Secretary General of the Ministry of Culture, mrs Lina Mendoni, the Director-General of Antiquities and Cultural Heritage, mrs Maria Vlazaki and a task force of the Ministry went to Ancient OIlympia to estimate the situation.

The Minister of Culture and Tourism, mr. Pavlos Geroulanos, as soon as he was informed of the facts, sent his resignation to the Prime-Minister, mr Loukas Papadimos.